bernstein



Jan. 23, 1923.

U. BERNS'TELN. RIGH SIG LED T l NG NAL Pos1'. JULY 17, 1922 f2 SHEETS-SHEET I ASELF A m A f..

0 all,

INVENTOR ../ae Berms'e/h.

oRNEYs Patented Jan. 23, 1923.

UNITED STATES rasen PATENT OFFICE. i

JAKE BERNSTEIN, OF ATHENS, GEORGIA.

SELF-RIGHIING SIGNAL POST.`

Re it known that l, Jann lnnNsrnrN, a. citizen ot the TUnited States, residing` at Athens, in the county ot 'Clarke and State or Georgia, have invented a new and lmproied .Selli-lftighting Signal l'lost, of which the following is a speciiication.

'flhis invention has reference to improvements in that type of signal posts used at street crossings ior guiding motor vehicular traiiic and more especially to posts that are designed tor returning to normal or upright position after having been struck or pushed over by a passing vehicle.

Primarily myinvention has for its purpose to provide an improved construction ot post of the kind mentioned of a relatively simple and economical construction and in Awhich the several parts of the post are so arranged and cooperatively combined that under ordinary usage the post will readily bend over troni the vertical to any angle with respect to the normal, even to that of a right angle, when the vehicle engages it or rides directly thereover, and will return to the vertical or normal position under such motion that the danger of breaking either the post proper, its connections with a lixedly held base, the electric light bulb, and the wiring connections therewith is reduced to the minimum.

Another and important object of my invention is to provide a seht-riglitingsignal post in which provision yis made for economically building the post and for malring the flexible connections between the post proper and the base such, that undue buckling or breaking of the said flexible connections is overcome, irrespective oiC the lat-- eral jars imparted to the post when struck b v recklessly directed and speedy vehicles.

A further object of my invention is to provide a trahie guide post in which special provision is made or mounting the signal light at the top thereoie in such manner that danger of injury to the light, as the. post is strucl and partly bent back or turned down to the horizontal limit, is reduced to the'rnininiuln, and tor dismounting a broken light and replacing it with a new signal light, as conditions may make necessary.

ln its more subordinate features, my invention provides an improved Varrangement of the flexible connections that join the :ottoni ot the post and its base so that 1922. Serial No. 575,718.

in case the post is turned down to the horizontal plane, (run over, as it were, by the vehicle) the collapsed or bent down post or its lconnections with the base will be at a plane below the front axle oi the passing vehicle and out ot the way of being struck by the vehicle axle.

lVith other minor objects in view.y hereinafter apparent, my invention consists of a tratiic guide post which embodies the peculiar features ol construction and novel combination of parts, all oi which will be lully explained in the Vfollowing detailed description, specilically set out in the ap pended claims and illustrated in the accom panying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a central vertical section of my improved self-righting signal post, the partial and complete movements thereof being illustrated in dotted lines.`

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail central section of the lower end of the device in which a slightly modified 'form is illustrated inthe double breaking position.

Figure 3 is al detail horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 on Figure l.

Figure 4i is a detail plan view ol' the core halt members in separated relation.

Figure 5 is a side viewl` a portion being in section, illustrating the manner ot assembling the parts.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration ot the relation oit the improved device to a nxotor vehicle passing directly over the salue.

Figures 7 and are detail views oi moditied forms of the specifically referred to.

In the practical development o'E my in vention, the preferred embodiment of which is shown in Figures l to 5 inclusive7 the coinplete post tsructure includes a heary metal base l which has a convex top Q that terms bearing tor the rocker member i, which constitutes a part of the upright or wooden post body proper, the latter being flexibly connected with the base in the manner best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, and as presently fully explained,

The post body. in the preferred 'forni of my invention, is composed oi'two half 'round sections lf-d0, each of which has a semi circula-r cavity 4l, the said cavities extending in the direction of the length of the said sections i-40, and which, when the said top post sections l--elO are operatively assembled, con- ,90 invention liereinailer CII stitute a vertical cavity in which is received a stout coil spring 5 that constitutes-the tension means .for maintaining the post in upright position and for restoring it to such position after it has been deflected to a partially laterally tipped position, as shown in dotted lines at the left in Figure 1, or to a substantial' horizontally tipped position, as diagrammatically indicated in Figure 6.

Each post section is also formed with a reduced semi-circular groovei3-4M, which grooves merge with the respective main grooves in the sections 4-40 and extend from such main grooves through the upper and lower ends of the sections, the lower grooves 44-4t providinfr, when the sect-ions F410 are joined toget ier, a reduced passage for the flexible cable 6 that connects with the lower end of the tension spring and which flexibly joins the post and its solid member 3 in rockable contact. with the base 1, the latter, in practice, being either of sufficient Weight to hold the post in a relatively fixed place as it is struck and buckled ,over` or it may be provided with apertured flange portions for spiking it tothe ground, as is clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

To provide for conveniently and flexibly joining the postte the base 1, the latter is hollow, as at 11, and provided with a central passage l2, through the dome thereof. the upper end of which is preferably flared, the reason for which will presently appear.

The bottom post member 3, before inentioned, is preferably a ball-shaped solid castw ing to give sufficient weight to cause it to tend to hold to its seat upon the outer or dome shaped surface of the base l and it also provides for holding the lower end of such member 3 in flexible Contact with the base 1 so that the post when righting itself will freely move back into proper relation with such member 3, as it returns to its upright position, after having been partially turned down or turned down to the limit of its drop movement, as indicated in Figure 1.

The wooden post section has a horizontal aperture 10 at its upper end which extends from the outside through the side thero'f, (see full lines in Figure 1 and dotted lines 4on Figure f1) and the upper end of the opposing post section et() has a deep slot-way /l-, open at the top, which merges at the inner side with the restricted vertical. passage that is formed at the upper end of the post when the grooves 43--43 of the two sections are brought into register as in Figure l..

By forming the main post. of two .likel half sections, shaped up as shown, a very simple and inexpensive post body is provided, since, when assembling the two parts into operative connection, the flexible cable 6, which is attached to a cross pin 8, that engages the hollow inner face of the base 1, can be easily threaded into the Opening ill the base top and through a central passage 3U in the solid member 3, and its free end made fast to the lower end of the spring 5, and by securing the upper end of the spring 5 to a cross pin 9 that carries a wire connection 90, which oins with the spring, and then pushing one end of the pin 9 into the cross passage 10, the several parts-the spring cable connecti on 6, the head or member 3 and the post section fst-are held as a single unit and in position for the ready application of the other wooden half section 40 of the post, whichlatter can then be applied by fitting it flatwise (see Figure 5) against theopposing post section 1, its slotway 45 receiving the projected or free end of the pin` 9.

After the two wooden sections are assembled, as sta-ted, the said twol sections are held against becoming displaced,when struck by a passing vehicle,-by a metal casing 15, whose length is somewhat more than the length of the wooden post bottom. Y

to thereby provide a bottom annular `flangelike extension 16, which seats within an annular groove 31, which surrounds a central hub-like portion 32 on the member 3' and which provides for the ready automatic resetting` of the post and the head 3, upon the base 1, when the parts return to their up` right position when released by the passing vehicle that deflected the post from the vertical position.

By referring more particularly to Figure 2 of the drawing, it will be noticed that the base connections for the post body are such that two di stinct points of flexible or liinged breaks are provided at the lower end of the post to thereby readily maintain the member 3 and the post body to a relatively rigid relation when the post isf but partly knocked down` as indicated by the dotted lines to the. left of Figure 1 and also to provide for a double break flexure of the post when it receives hard knocks that tend to turn it down to the horizontal plane, a condition present when a vehicle runs oizer the post as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 6.

Another und important advantage, in providing the lower end of the post with a base or head member 3, in the nature of a solid ball, is.` that the said member andv the post are adapted Yfor freely tilting over the base l when hit from any direction.

When po of larger sizes, such as are especially n led where traflic is unusually fheavy a re empleyed` to hold the post from. be-

ing readily laterally displaced to the extent that excessive strains are on the cable 6, the contacting` surfaces ofthe member' 3 and the dome of Vthe base 1 may be formed withv a series of annularly stepped ribs or serrations 35 and 17 respectively, such roughened contacting surfaces of the opposing members and the weight of the member 3 particularly aiding in holding the parts` together when lll) the post body is deected, as shown in Figure l.

Referring again to Figure 2 of the drawing, it will be seen the base connections for the post body are such that two distinct flexible or hinge breaks are provided, one of' which is between the lower end of the post body proper and the member 3 and the other between such member 3 and the base l.

In the practical adjustment of' the tension spring 5, it and the cable are drawn to such normal tension that under ordinary knocks or displacement ot the post, the member 3 and the post remain in a relatively fixed relation and tip laterally as one body, but when the contact ot a vehicle with the post is made in such manner that the vehicle must pass over the post, the post proper will separate from the member 3, that is,-bend down at an angle of greater degree, with respect to the base l, than the flexure or bend of the member 3, with reference to the said base l, it being apparent that by providing a connection between the post and the base l that has a double break as shown, the body ot' the post will readily s-wing down to the horizontal or even below the hori- Yaontal plane out of the way of the axles of the vehicle and thus allow for the free passage of such vehicle over the turned down oost.

l Another and important advantage in making the double joint connection, that is,- combining the parts v13, and the post proper, as stated and shown, is that atno time will there existl a sharp angle bend in the cable connection, the bend being gradual and so distributed that danger of excessive buckling or snapping of the cable at the twist Apoints thereof', is reduced to the minimum.

To provide against undue rubbing of the cable 6 at the juncture of the outlet from the base l and the inlet to the member 3, a. sleeve 19 of leather or rubber may be fitted about that part of the cable and the. said member 3 suitably socketed -as at 33, for the reception of the upper lend of the sleeve 1 9 when the parts spring to their vertical position. It is understood that when setting the .post and the latter is to be equipped with a signal light', a conduit 14 is provided in the street for passing therefrom the electric circuit cable 3G which extends up along the side of the cable 6 into the post body and up through the upper end of such post for connection with the `signal lamp fr in the usual wav.

In the preferred construction shown in Figure 1. the upper ends of the post sections 4 40, when joined together', have a socket 46 in which is received a base member with an annular flange 37 that fits in the socket 46 Hush with the tops of the post sections 4 4() and provides for the ready application of' a circular guide plate 38 that fits over lthe top of the posts and which has a pendant annular' flange 39 for fitting over the post top, 'the said flanges being secured by pins or screws to the upper end of the casing and Vpost sections, as shown.

communicates with the lower end of a cene tra-l .passage 48 for the electric circuit wire that passes up to connect with the lamp m that is fitted in any suitable way on top of the post, as shown.

rlhe pin 9 in the modified form is driven transversely through the post and to bisect the upper part of the socket 47.

The tension spring 5 in the modified f'orm, connects at the upper end with the pin 9 and extends down through a suitable diameter passage 49 in the rocker member 3 and down in a guide passage 96 through the top of the base l, with its lower end joined to a pin 95 that is held across the lower end of the base passage 96, as shown.

In the said latter construction, the cable 6 is omitted since the spring 5 Hexes when the post, the member 3 and the base separate, as shown.

In Figure 8 is illustrated a further modification of myv invention. In this latter form, the post, has a deep socket in the upper end thereof' that constitutes a chamber in which is held the electric light m, the latter being seated and vsecured in any suitable way in the bottom ofthe said socket member 56 designates a lens which constitutes the top of the chamber 55 and through which the light .rays from the lamp are projected when the partsare at the upright position, and the said lens -isheld in place by an annular 4angle rim 57 which entends over the peripheral end of the lens and is secured te the top end of the `casing 1 5.

In this latter form ot my invention, the spring 5 is heldwithin the post with its upper end connected to an yadjustable tension device` which includes a threaded member 53, the lnut 54 and bracket 5S secured to the post body, asshown.

The form shown in Figure 8 is intended for low or dwarf signals which are visible only -a short 'distance to the drivers of machines.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of my device will be readily understood by those familiar with the art to which it relates. j

My invention does away with the common type of rigid body posts whose use has been found objectionable because collisions therewith usually result in serious damage to the vehicle and the destruction of or putting the posts out of' operative commission.r

Vhat fl claim is:

l. In a post ol? the character described. a rigid post body, and a ball-like member, the samelmving a tongue and groove engagement, a lixed base having a convex top on which said ball-like member is adapted to rest, a flexible connection between said base and said rigid body, andv passing` through said ball-like member whereby to connect having a. convex top, a post said` post, said ball-like member, kand said rigid body flexibly together, said. ball-like body and said base having their opposing faces stepped.

2. In a post of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed base having a convex top, a post tiltably supported on the base and adapted for being laterally tilted in any direction with respect to the base, means including flexible tension devices for normally swinging the post to an upright position, the said tension devices bcing secured at one end to the post and at the other end to the base, the said post including a solid bottom ball-like member that rockably engages the convex top of the base, an articulated flexible joint between the said bottom member and the lower end oi the post to thereby adapt the bottom member `for rocking on the base and thc post body for swinging independently and laterally of thc bottom member, the post body consisting oi' two half sections adapted itorbeing llatwise assembled. a casing surrounding the sections, the said casing including a projected base that flexibly seats onto the balllike member. j

3. In a post of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed base tiltably supported on the baseand adapted tor beinglaterally tilted in any direction with respefi't to the base, means including flexible tension devices for normally swinging the post to an upright position, the said tension devices being secured at one end to the post and at the other end to the base, the said post including `a solid ball-like bottom member that rockably engages the convex top of the base, a flexible joint between the said bottom member and the lower end of the post to thereby adapt the bottom member for rocking on the base and the post body for swinging independently and laterally of the bottom member, the post body consisting oi two half sections adapted for being flatwise assembled, a casing surrounding the sections, the said casing including a projected base that flexibly seats onto the ball-like member, each of the post sections having a semi-circular groove that constitutes a spring receiving chamber when the two sections are assembled, one of the sections having a horizontal aperture at the upper end, the opposing section having a depressed transverse socket in its top that communicates with the aperture in the opposing section, a pin adapted for being slipped into the said aperture, means securing the upper end of the tension spring to the pin, the free end of such pin fitting into the socket in the said other section when the two sections are assembled.

el. In a post of the character described, the combination with a relatively lixed base having a convex top, a post tiltably supported on the base and adapted for being laterally tilted in any direction with respect to the base, means including flexible tension devices for normally swinging the post to an upright position, the said tension devices secured at one end to the post and at the other en'd to the base, the said post including a solid ball-like bottom member that rockably engages the convex top of the base, means flexibly connecting the said bottom member with the lower end of the post to thereby adapt the bottom member for rocking on the base and the post body for swinging independently and laterally of the bottom member, the post body consisting oli' two half sections adapted for being flatwise assembled, a casing surrounding the sections, the said casing including a projected base that flexibly seats onto the ball-like member, the ends oi the two post sections being shaped tor receiving a signal lamp base, and means at'tachable to the tops o'l the two post sections `l'or holding the lamp base in operative condition.

5. ln a post of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed base having a convex top, a post tiltably supported on the base and adapted for being laterally tilted in any direction with respect to the base, means including flexible tension devices for normally swinging the post to an upright position, the said tension devices being secured at one end to the post and at the other end to the base, the said l post including a solid bottom member that rockably engages the convex top of the base, means flexibly connectingr the said bottom member with the lower end of the post to thereby adapt the bottom member for rocking on the base and the post body for swinging independently and laterally of the bottom member, the said solid bottom member having a flat upper base provided with an annular groove, the lower end of the post having an annular flange for engaging the said groove.

6. In a post of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed base having a: convex top, a post tilt-ably supported on the base and adapted for being laterally tilted in any direction with respect to the base, means including flexible tension devices for normally swinging the post to an upright position, the said tension devices being secured at one end to the post and at the other end to the base, the said post including a bottom member that rockably engages the convex top of the base, the said solid bottom member having a fiat upper base provided With an annular groove, the lfo-Wer end of the post having an annular flange 'for engaging said groove, said tension devices passing through an aperture through said bottom member.

7. In a post. of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed base having a convex top, a post tiltably supported on the said base top and adapted to be laterally tilted in any direction With respect to the base, said post including a bio-dy and a bot-tom member thatv roclrably engages the convex top of said base, said bottom member having a flat upper face provided with an annular groove to receive a projection from said body, the said bottom member and the said base having iliassages` thel post body having a vertically extended chamber, and tension devices including the following elements, namely: a cable that passes through passages in the said base and the said bottom member and into the chamber of said post body, a tension spring in said chamber to one end of which said cable is attached, means to secure the other end of said spring to the post body and means for securing the lower end of said cable to said base.

8. In a post of the character described, the combination with a relatively fixed base having a convex top, a post tiltably supported on the base and adapted for being laterally tilted in any direction With respect to the base, means including flexible tension devices for normally swinging the post to an upright. position, the said tension devices being secured at one end to the post and at the other end to the base, the said postfincluding a solid bottom member that r-ockably engagesthe convex top of' the base, the said solid bottom member having a flat upper base provided With an annular groove, the lower end of the post having an annular flange for engaging the said groove, the solid bottom member and the base having passages, the tension devices including a cable that passes through the passages in the base and the bottom member and into the post body, the latter having a vertically extended chamber, a tension spring' in the chamber,v means for connecting the upper end oi the spring to the postI and the lower end to the cable, other means securing the lower end of the cable to the base, the meeting ends of the passages in the bottom member and the base, and the bottom member and the post being flared.

9. A post of the character stated comprising a relatively fixed base having a convex top surface, a post including' a rigid body and a ball-like bot-tom member, the latter adapted to rest on said convex surface, said rigid body and said ball-like member, and said body having a passage through the same, a tension device located in said passage With one end secured to the base and the other end secured to the post body, an electric signal lamp on the top of the post body and feeder wires passing through the passages in said base, said ball-like member, and said post body to said lamp.

l0. A traffic indicator of the character stated comprising a conve-x base, a balllilre member tiltable upon the base, a rigid post tiltably supported on the balllike member, spring tension devices that connect with the base, pass through the balllike member and into the post, means connecting the upper end of the spring tension devices to the post, the said spring tension devices tending to normally maintain the ball-like member in the post in upright position, and to permit flexure of' the post relatively to the ball-like member When the post is tilted down to a predetermined angle relatively to the ball and the base.

ll. A traffic indicator device of the charter stated comprising a base having a domeshaped top, said top having a centrally disposed aperture, a centrally apertured balllike member rockably supported on the base top, a rigid post body flexibly supported on the ball-like member, the said post having a spring tension device receiving cable, a spring tension device, means securing the upper end of the tension device to the post, said tension device including a portion that extends through the ball-like member and the base top, and means securing the said tension portion to the base.

JAKE BERNSTEIN. 

